Deck panel for roof and floor structures

ABSTRACT

A deck panel useable in roof and floor structures characterized by a continuous peripheral skeleton formed of a plurality of connected together metallic members that have adequate structural strength to bear a predetermined design load without requiring additional support, such as columns, beams and the like; and a lightweight concrete center portion carried by the peripheral skeleton and including a depending beam of lightweight concrete extending longitudinally of the panel. A plurality of first and second longitudinally and transversely extending panel reinforcing bars are embedded in the concrete center portion and connected with the peripheral skeleton. A plurality of beam reinforcing bars are embedded in and extend longitudinally of the depending beam of lightweight concrete. The beam reinforcing bars are unprestressed at the time of pouring the concrete center portion such that the panel has a flat upper surface and does not bow upwardly in the longitudinal center as do prestressed beams or the like of the prior art. Also disclosed are specific details of construction and emplacement.

Bloxom DECK PANEL FOR ROOF AND FLOOR STRUCTURES [75] Inventor: David E. Bloxom, Fort Worth, Tex, [73] Assignee: Speed Fab-Crete Corporation,

International, Fort Worth, Tex.

[22] Filed: May 29, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 364,302

[52] US. Cl 52/236, 52/262, 52/274, 52/601 [51] Int. Cl E041) l/04 [58] Field of Search 52/262, 261, 234, 274,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,393,966 10/1921 Richman 52/602 X 1,431,086 10/1922 Ault 52/602 X 2,202,745 5/1940 Muse 52/274 X 2,741,908 4/1956 Swanson 52/274 3,555,763 1/1971 Bloxom. 52/745 3,733,762 5/1973 Pardo 52/319 X 3,745,731 7/1973 Simpson et a1. 52/283 X 3,760,540 7 9/1973 Latoria et al. 52/601 X [451 Nov. 19, 1974 Primary Examiner-Price C. Faw, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wofford, Felsman, Fails & Zobal 57 ABSTRACT A deck panel useable in roof and floor structures characterized by a continuous peripheral skeleton formed of a plurality of connected together metallic members that have adequate structural strength to bear a predetermined design load without requiring additional support, such as columns, beams and the like; and a lightweight concrete center portion carried by the peripheral skeleton and including a depending beam of lightweight concrete extending longitudinally of the panel. A plurality of first and second longitudinally and transversely extending panel reinforcing bars are embedded in the concrete center portion and connected with the peripheral skeleton. A plurality of beam reinforcing bars are embedded in and extend longitudinally of the depending beam of lightweight concrete. The beam reinforcing bars are unprestressed at the time of pouring the concrete center portion such that the panel has a flat upper surface and does not bow upwardly in the longitudinal center as do prestressed beams or the like of the prior art. Also disclosed are specific details of construction and emplacement.

6 a m iusfiswe DECK PANEL FOR ROOF AND FLOOR STRUCTURES BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to prefabricated panelsfor use in building construction; and, more particularly, to

deck panels for use in roof and floor structures.

2. Description of the Prior Art As labor and material costs have risen, the need to improve methods of construction have become urgent. Great strides have been made in this regard in the immediate past. For example, in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,555,763, entitled Method of Forming Walls With Prefabricated Panels, I described one such improved method employing prefabricated wall panels. In my copending patent application Ser. No. 346,678,'entitled Building Panel With Corrosion Resistant Base, I described an improved type construction for the prefabricated wall panels. One problem that has continued to plague the construction industry, however, has been the formation of satisfactory roof and floor structures. Attempts to use prestressed beams or panels have not been successful because of the undesirable upward bowing of the longitudinal center of the beam. Attempts to use prefabricated panels such as were used in the wall panels resulted in too much sagging with formation of cracks and subsequent leakage of collected water through the roof structures. Accordingly, the industry has been content to employ conventional roof structures in which trusses are first emplaced and a roof structure laid thereover; and employ conventional floor structures formed in place. It is well recognized, how-' ever, that these conventional structures are inordinately time consuming and are not satisfactory, since they represent an inordinately large proportion of the building expense.

Thus, it can be seen that the prior art has been deficient in providing prefabricated structures that could be employed in roof or floor structures 'without the necessity of supplemental supports, such as columns or the like intermediate the walls on which the structure is emplaced.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved deck panel that is prefabricated and that can be emplaced for use in roof or floor structures, obviating the disadvantages of the prior art.

It is an object of this invention to provide a prefabricated deck panel that can be emplaced directly on prefabricated wall panels without requiring supplemental support in the form of columns or the like and can be employed directly for the floor orroof simply by application of the desired form of the cover thereover.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following descriptive matter, particularly when taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a deck panel in accordance with one embodiment of this invention being emplaced upon prefabricated wall panels.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the peripheral skeleton, reinforcing bars, and mold for forming the deck panel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial lateral crosssectional view of the deck panel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial longitudinal cross sectional view of a deck panel like FIG. 1. v

FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional'view of another embodiment of this invention being emplacedadjacent and atop a peripheral skeleton of .a prefabricated wall panel. 1

FIG. 6is a partial cross sectional view of another embodiment of this invention being emplaced adjacent and atop a peripheral skeleton of a prefabricated wall panel. i

' FIG. 7 is a partial cross sectional view of still another embodiment of this invention in which the deck panel has its beam of the same length as its sides-so as to form a smooth end that is butted against and affixed to the wall panel.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention will be described hereinafter with respect to emplacement of a deck panel connected to prefabricated wall panels for use as either floor or roof structures. It is to be remembered that the deck panel of this invention may have applicability and usefulness in other environments in which its physical properties and capabilities provide satisfactory solutions to problems therein. For example, the deck panels may have applicability as bridge spans, overhead walkways and the like.

An overview is believed helpful before considering the deck panel, per se. Referring to FIG. 1, the deck panel 11 is suspended via eyes 13 and hooks and cables 15- from a master hook and cable 17 0f a crane or the like (not shown). The deck panel 11' is guided into place by a workman 19 such that it is properly emplaced atop the prefabricated wall panels 21. The prefabricated wall panels 21 will have been previously emplaced upon suitable foundation 23. As illustrated, the wall panels 21 have peripheral structural skeletons 25 that are structurally adequate without requiring supplemental support in the building. Moreover, the peripheral metallic skeletons 25 afford an excellent means for interconnecting adjacent panels, as by welding together contiguous portions of the external peripheral skeletons. After emplacement, the deck panel 11 is ready to serve as a floor if succeeding stories are to be built thereover, or it may serve as a roof, simply by the application of the requisite covering; such as, mopping on tar for a roof or laying down tile, carpeting, or the like for a floor.

The deck panel 11, per se, comprises a continuous peripheral skeleton 25 that is formed of a plurality of connected together metallic members, such as sides 27 and ends 29 in the illustrated rectangularly shaped panel 11. A peripheral skeleton 25 has structural strength adequate to bear a predetermined design load without requiring any additional supports, such as columns, separate beams or the like. As illustrated, the respective sides 27 and ends 29 comprise metallic channel members. For example, depending upon the width and span of the deck panel 11, the respective sides and the ends 27 and 29 may comprise channel iron, or steel channel members, of the desired lateral dimensions; for example, 4 inches, 6 inches, 8 inches, 10

inches or larger. The sides 27 and ends 29 may take any other form, such as T members or the like. The U- shaped channel structure is excellent, however, since it affords good surface exposure for welding and serves to prevent chipping of the edges of the deck panel 1 l durconsideration include, among others, the density of the cured concrete center portion, the final set strength of the concrete, the insulating properties, particularly if employed in a roof, and its fluid impermeability if it is to be employed where it may be washed down or the like.

The lightweight concrete center portion 31 includes a downwardly depending beam 35 of lightweight concrete extending longitudinally of the deck panel 11. I have found it preferable to employ a single depending beam 35 located medially of the lateral dimensions of the deck panel 11 and extending downwardly a distance sufficient to impart the desired physical properties. I have found that having a beam extend downwardly a distance within the range of -16 percent of the width of the panel affords satisfactory structural strength. For example, the beam 35 may extend downwardly about 12 inches and afford satisfactory structural strength for panels from 6 to 9 feet or more in width, particularly when beam reinforcing bars are embedded within the beam. As illustrated, the beam is poured at the same time as the deck panel 11 so it has the same lightweight concrete slurry and the same physical properties of the final cured concrete.

As illustrated, a plurality of beam reinforcing bars 37 are embedded in the lightweight concrete and extend longitudinally of the beam 35. The beam reinforcing bars 37 are not prestressed at the time of pouring the concrete center portion such that the panel will have a flat upper surface 39 that does not bow upwardly in the longitudinal center of the beam, as do conventional prestressed concrete beams. The beam reinforcing bars 37 are emplaced at the bottom of the beam by conventional means, such as being suspended by wires from the gridwork of panel reinforcing bars.

In addition to the longitudinally extending beam reinforcing bars, a plurality of first and second panel reinforcing bars 41 and 43 are embedded in the concrete center portion and connected with the peripheral skel-.

eton 25. The first panel reinforcing bars 41 extend longitudinally of the deck panel 1 1 and are connected with the ends 29, as by welding. The second panel reinforcing bars 43 extend transversely, or laterally, across the deck panel 11 and are connected with the sides 27, as by welding. A sufficient number of the first and second panel reinforcing bars 41 and 43 are employed, with or without an additional means to ensure that the final deck panel 1 l is no wider at its midpoint than at its respective ends such that the panel can be employed in a building structure without having a bowed out midsection. As described in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,555,763, the bowing outwardly of the midsection is a major problem. I have found it advantageous to bow the elongate sides 27 inwardly at the midpoint by a small amount of 56-54 inch or so, and weld the respective lateral reinforcing bars 43 in place before the concrete slurry is poured within the peripheral skeleton 25. Otherwise, there is a tendency for the peripheral skeleton 25 to bow outwardly and distort the desired rectangular plan of the deck panel 11. It will become apparent that where such midpoint expansion is allowed, each deck panel 11 extends slightly; for example, from k to of an inch or more; and causes a resulting overrun in the final structure. Such overrun requires discarding one panel and substituting a special panel to compensate for the cumulative overrun. If desired, other means may be employed to ensure that there is no greater width at the midpoint of the panel than at its ends. For example, the panel sides 27 may be emplaced between large unyielding structural components, such as large beams, during the affixing of the lateral reinforcing bars 43 to prevent bowing and the like; and enough reinforcing bars employed to prevent bulging of the peripheral skeleton 25 during the pouring of the cement slurry therewithin. The problem is less acute with the less elongate ends 29. Moreover, the problem is not additive, ordinarily, since the panels are not emplaced one next to the other longitudinally, or endwise; but are placed adjacent each other laterally, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The reinforcing bars that are employed in both the beam reinforcing bars 41 and 43 and the panel reinforcing bars 37 are conventional and range in size from conventional small bars; for example, from number 2s that are a :4 inch in diameter, to the larger beam reinforcing bars that may range from number 7s to as high as number 11s or higher. Ordinarily, the numbers reflect the number of one-eighth inches that are incorporated into the diameter of the bar. For example, a number 7 bar will have a diameter of about seven-eighth inch, whereas a number 11 reinforcing bar will have a diameter of 1% inch. The longer the beam, the larger will be the beam reinforcing bars. Ordinarily, a predetermined size bar, such as a number 3 bar, will be employed for the first and second panel reinforcing bars and greater structural strength will be obtained by employing the bars on a closer center-to-center basis. For example, the number 3 bars may be placed on about a 13 inch center for both the first and second panel reinforcing bars 41 and 43 with panel widths up to about 8 feet and length up to about 30 feet or so. For panel widths of 9 feet or larger, however, it may be desirable to decrease the centers for the second, laterally extending panel reinforcing bars 43 down to 11 inch centers to effect the greater structural strength.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the .deck panel 1 l is to be emplaced atop walls having a first thickness, such as four inch channel iron of peripheral skeletons 25. Accordingly, the sides 27 of the deck panel 11 are longer than the beams 35 by a distance equal to the first thickness for emplacement on top of the walls. This structural arrangement allows great load carrying capability and convenient and economical assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

In operation, the outer metallic skeleton 25 is prepared by joining together metallic members, such as the metallic channels forming the illustrated sides 27 and the ends 29. The respective sides and ends 27 and 29 may be joined together by any conventional means. Ordinarily, it is advantageous to employ welding. The peripheral skeleton 25 is then placed in a jig to obtain the desired shape and the first and second panel reinforcing bars 41 and 43 are welded into place at the desired centers. If desired, the respective first and second reinforcing bars 41 and 43 may be connected together at the location where they cross each other, as by tying in conventional practice, before the lightweight cement slurry is poured therewithin. I

Referring to FIG. 2, a bed 45 is prepared for the panel frame. The bed 45 includes an inner surface in the shape of the mold 33, including the depression 47 for forming the beam 35. The bed 45 may comprise metallic molds of a variety of lengths, the molds being supported on their bottom to support the weight of the lightweight cement slurry when poured therewithin. On the other hand, a plurality of permanent molds may be formed by forming concrete beds 45 at given locations for subsequent pouring of the deck panels 11. In any event, the beds 45 are ordinarily larger than the final deck panel, particularly in lateral width. If the more elongate and wider molds are employed to form a smaller deck panel 11, the peripheral skeleton 25 is suitably emplaced about the depression 47 with ends displaced in the depression 47 to obtain the desired shape and dimensions of the final deck panel 11.

In any event, the exposed surface of the bed 45, or mold 33, are covered with a hydrophobic bond breaker. The surfaces may be covered with the hydrophobic bond breaker by spraying a solution of oil containing paraffin wax thereon. Other'hydrophobic materials, such as silicones or hydrophobic surfactants in nonaqueous solutions, can be sprayed on the respective surfaces. Moreover, a hydrophobic material, such as polyethylene plastic, may be spread over the exposed surfaces. Any material can be employed that will prevent the surface of the mold 33 from bonding with the set concrete of the lightweight cement slurry to be poured within the skeleton 25 in the mold 33.

The peripheral skeleton 25, with its first and second panel reinforcing bars 41 and 43, is then placed on the bed and a lightweight concrete slurry is poured within the panel frame, or skeleton, 25 to produce theprefabricated deck panel 11 having its metallic skeleton 25 disposed at its periphery. The eyes 13 are formed into the cement slurry before it attains its final set. Ordi-. t

v 1 narily, I have found it advisable to form four eyes 13 into theupper surface of the lightweight concrete. The

eyes 13 may be emplaced as desired. Frequently with more elongate beams, it is desirable to emplace the eyes at about one-fourth of the length of the deck panel 11 and in from eachside about 1 foot in order to minimize the tendency to distort asv the deck panel 11 is lifted into place. I have found, however, that emplacing the eyes at about 1 foot from'the end and 1 foot from the sides is satisfactory for almost all of the more conventional deck panels 11 and enables less skilled work- I floor structure. I have found, however, that the depression with the simple elongate reinforcing bar-type eye 13 can be easily filled with a groutmix. Once the lightweight concrete has attained sufficient set strength, a

desired facade can be formed. For most applications,

no particular facade will be employed on the upper surface, since a covering, such as tar for a ceiling, or carpet for a floor, will be emplaced thereover. On the other hand, a suitable finish may be employed. For example, where the top is desired to have a pebbly finish, gravel may be set and grouted into the cement slurry, as for around swimming pools or the like in multi-story structures. Any desired facade may be employed, as described in my US. Pat. No. 3,555,763, cited hereinbefore.

Once the completed panel has cured to sufficient strength, it is removed from the bed 45 and positioned as desired. The panels are readily removed from their beds 45 because the hydrophobic bond breaker interposed between them and the surface of the bed 45 prevents bonding therebetween. Preferably, the depending beam 35 has a structure that is wider toward the top to facilitate lifting the deck panel 11 from its bed 45. The deck panel 11 may be transported by suitable trucks directly to a construction site, or it may be stored for subsequent transportation to the site.

At the construction site,- the hooks and cables 15 and 17 are connected to the respective eyes 13 and by means of a crane or other lifting device (not shown) the deck panel 11 is lifted into position, as described hereinbefore with respect to FIG. 1. Once a deck panel is emplaced atop the wall sections 21, as illustrated, it is affixed thereto; as by welding the external structural skeleton 25 of the deck panel 11 to the external structural skeleton of the wall panels 21. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the deck panel 11 has an overhang 49 that is as great as the thickness of the wall panels 21 for satisfactory emplacement. lf the respective ends of the beams abutclosely to the interiorofthe wall panels 21, sufiicient bracing may be effected simply through the abutting action. If desired, however, a metal plate 51, FIG. 6, may be affixed to the bottom of the beam at least at each end, as by embedded L-bolt 53, for welding to an adjacent metallic plate 55. An adjacent metallic plate 55 may be welded at its top to a peripheral skeleton 25 of a wall panel and subsequently welded at its bottom with the metallic plate 51 for increasing the rigidity of the construction between the deck panel 11 and the wall panels 21.

By pre'planning, beam 35 and its metallic plate 51 at I at least each end, may beemplaced adjacent a metallic side 57 of a wall panel 21, FIG. 5. With this pre be required. Particularly where a floor covering, such as tile or carpet, will be emplaced thereover. On the other hand, the joint may be sealed to provide a moisture-proof joint by filling the space between metallic channels, or sides 27, with a material that will sealingly expand and contract. Ordinarily, .it is preferable to at least spot weld the respective channels, or sides, 27 to afford structural interaction of the respective deck panels and lessen the tendency for any one deck panel to give under a concentrated load. If desired, the respective sides 27 may be welded continuously therealong.

In any event, where a moisture-proof joint is desired, any space between the channels is filled with a water- A proof material, similarly as described in my above ref- Satisfactory waterproof materials include emulsions or suspensions of dispersed butyl rubber, Neoprene, polystyrene, or mixtures thereof in a vaporizable solvent. Once the joint is caulked, or filled, with this dispersed material, the moisture-proof material will adhere to the metallic channels and effect a moistureproof joint regardless of the temperature or condition of expansion or contraction of the respective panels. Moreover, the material will not melt and run from the joint even when employed in a roof that is exposed to the sun. Ordinarily, it is not necessary to provide such a moisture-proof joint in a roof structure, since the roof covering will comprise a covering of tar, with a supplemental material, such as tar paper, sand or gravel or the like. Thus, the roof covering will effect the requisite sealing and not have to rely upon a completely waterproof joint between the deck panels 11.

If desired, the internal joints may be masked on the interior by suitable conventional means, similarly described in my above referenced US. Pat. No. 3,555,763. As described therein, the interior joint is covered with a glass tape embedded in a hydrophobic, nonasphaltic material. The nonasphaltic material must be hydrophobic to adhere to the inner surface of the panel which has been in intimate contact with the hydrophobic bond breaker on the bed 45. It is, of course, possible to employ certain surfactants with or without additional solvents and/or caustics to change the character of the interior of the panel from a hydrophobic condition to a hydrophilic condition. This is ordinarily unnecessary, since hydrophobic, nonasphaltic materials are readily available. Illustrative of such hydrophobic nonasphaltic materials are the following commerically available materials which have been described in detail in US. Pat. No. 3,555,763. A first material is available under the tradename of Karack-Kote; and another satisfactory material is available under the tradename Tuff-Kote. Any of the other satisfactory commerically available materials may be employed, if desired.

In any event, the interior joint may be masked, finished and painted such that the joint is not visible.

On the other hand, the structural skeletons may have suitable downwardly depending means for supporting a false ceiling, if desired. Such false ceiling structures are sometimes useful for concealing conduits, air conditioning ducts and the like.

Another embodiment of this invention is illustrated in FIG. 7. Therein, the deck panel 11 has its beam as long as it is so as to abut a wall panel 21. As illustrated, the beam 35 has a metal plate 51 at at least each end and is pre-planned so as to be adjacent a side 57 of a wall panel 21 for being affixed directly thereto, as by welding. Similarly, the respective end 29 may be welded directly to the side 57. Thus, the deck panel 11 may serve as a floor member in a multi-story structure. If it is not convenient to have the beams 35 coincide with the sides 57 of the wall panels 21, suitable steel plates may be emplaced in the respective side panels 21. The steel plates, similar to plate 55 of FIG. 6, may be emplaced by welding to suitable metallic structures such as the sides 57 of the respective side panels, or it may be emplaced in the side panels as they are formed, as by suitable L-bolts like L-bolt 53, FIG. 6. Such processes of affixing plates are conventional and need not be described in detail herein, since they are not being claimed, per se.

While a single depending beam has been described hereinbefore, a plurality of beams may be employed if desired.

It will be apparent that the terms upper", lower, downwardly depending" and the like are used herein in the sense of the normal usage of the deck panel 1] that is being illustrated. This is not to be taken as indicative that the deck panel 11 cannot be employed in its upside down condition in which the beam 35 is deployed on the top, as in roof structures that are covered with dirt and the iike, as in ammunition dumps, underground shelters.

While the pouring of the lightweight concrete center portion within a mold 33 has been described hereinbefore, it will be apparent that any other conventional and suitable means could be employed. For example, the deck panel 11 may be poured in an upside down configuration on a horizontal surface by pouring the cement slurry within the external skeleton 25; and, thereafter, pouring the beam through a mold having a trapazoidal cross sectional shape with the reinforcing bars suspended near the narrow top of the inverted mold and onto the wet, but relatively uncured concrete forming the top surface. The top surface, in such an operation is poured as the bottom of the deck panel in the inverted position.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that this invention provides a deck panel that can be employed in roof or floor structures to effect the necessary finished building economically, achieving the objects delineated hereinbefore and alleviating problems with the prior art methods of construction. Specifically, this invention provides a deck panel that does not bow upwardly in its longitudinal center so as to be objectionable as a floor structure, yet that can double in a roof structure without sagging intolerably so as to crack, then collect and allow water to leak therethrough. While this structure appears superficially similar to other beams, this invention is particularly advantageous in having the peripheral structural skeleton to prevent chipping of the deck panels 11 as well as to add structural strength that is missing in the prior art beams.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A combination structure for buildings and the like comprising:

a. a foundation;

b. a plurality of wall panels emplaced on said foundation; each said wall panel having a peripheral metallic skeleton that is structurally adequate to bear its share of the design load for said building such that said wall panels alone are sufficient without requiring supplemental structural supports, and a lightweight concrete center portion that has a desired facade and interior finish and that adds its structural strength, particularly in compression, to

said wall panel for a large additional safety'factor; said wall panels being welded together at their adjacent metallic peripheral skeletons; and a plurality of deck panels emplaced, respectively, adjacent each other and connected to said wall panels at the desired height; each said deck panel including a continuous peripheral skeleton formed of a plurality of connected together metallic members; said skeleton having a structural strength adequate to bear a predetermined design load without requiring any additional supports; a lightweight concrete center portion carried by said peripheral skeleton; said concrete center portion including a downwardly depending beam of lightweight concrete extending longitudinally thereof; a plurality of first and second panel reinforcing bars embedded in said concrete center portion and connected with said peripheral skeleton; said plurality of first and second panel reinforcing bars extending longitudinally and transversely of said panels; and a plurality of beam reinforcing bars embedded in and extending longitudinally of said depending beam of lightweight concrete; said plurality of beam reinforcing bars being unprestressed at the time of pouring said concrete center portion such that said panel has a fiat upper surface that does not bow upwardly in the longitudinal center thereof. 2. The combination structure of claim 1 wherein said peripheral skeleton is rectangular and said panel is no wider at its midpoint than at its end whereby said panel can be emplaced in said structure and its peripheral skeleton connected with said wall panels thereof without cumulative overrun.

3. The combination structure of claim 2 wherein said wall panels have metallic anchoring members, said depending beam has metallic plates at at least its bottom at at least each end and welded to said anchoring memher.

4. The combination structure of claim 2 wherein said deck panels are emplaced on said wall panels that have a first thickness and adjacent peripheral skeletons are welded together; and the sides of said deck panel are longer than said beam by a distance equal to said first thickness for emplacement atop said walls for great load-bearing capability and convenient and economical assembly.

5. The combination structure of claim 2 wherein said beam extends the total length of said panel without any overhang and said deck panel is abuttingly emplaced and connected with said wall panels medially of the length of said wall panels to form an intermediate floor in a multi-story building.

6. The deck panel of claim 5 wherein said depending beam has metallic plates at at least its bottom at at least each end that is welded to the metal in said wall panels; said peripheral skeleton of said deck panel comprising a channel member that is also welded to metal in said wall panels. 

1. A combination structure for buildings and the like comprising: a. a foundation; b. a plurality of wall panels emplaced on said foundation; each said wall panel having a peripheral metallic skeleton that is structurally adequate to bear its share of the design load for said building such that said wall panels alone are sufficient without requiring supplemental structural supports, and a lightweight concrete center portion that has a desired facade and interior finish and that adds its structural strength, particularly in compression, to said wall panel for a large additional safety factor; said wall panels being welded together at their adjacent metallic peripheral skeletons; and c. a plurality of deck panels emplaced, respectively, adjacent each other and connected to said wall panels at the desired height; each said deck panel including a continuous peripheral skeleton formed of a plurality of connected together metallic members; said skeleton having a structural strength adequate to bear a predetermined design load without requiring any additional supports; a lightweight concrete center portion carried by said peripheral skeleton; said concrete center portion including a downwardly depending beam of lightweight concrete extending longitudinally thereof; a plurality of first and second panel reinforcing bars embedded in said concrete center portion and connected with said peripheral skeleton; said plurality of first and second panel reinforcing bars extending longitudinally and transversely of said panels; and a plurality of beam reinforcing bars embedded in and extending longitudinally of said depending beam of lightweight concrete; said plurality of beam reinforcing bars being unprestressed at the time of pouring said concrete center portion such that said panel has a flat upper surface that does not bow upwardly in the longitudinal center thereof.
 2. The combination structure of claim 1 wherein said peripheral skeleton is rectangular and said panel is no wider at its midpoint than at its end whereby said panel can be emplaced in said structure and its peripheral skeleton connected with said wall panels thereof without cumulative overrun.
 3. The combination structure of claim 2 wherein said wall panels have metallic anchoring members, said depending beam has metallic plates at at least its bottom at at least each end and welded to said anchoring member.
 4. The combination structure of claim 2 wherein said deck panels are emplaced on said wall panels that have a first thickness and adjacent peripheral skeletons are welded together; and the sides of said deck panel are longer than said beam by a distance equal to said first thickness for emplacement atop said walls for great load-bearing capability and convenient and economical assembly.
 5. The combination structure of claim 2 wherein said beam extends the total length of said panel without any overhang and said deck panel is abuttingly emplaced and connected witH said wall panels medially of the length of said wall panels to form an intermediate floor in a multi-story building.
 6. The deck panel of claim 5 wherein said depending beam has metallic plates at at least its bottom at at least each end that is welded to the metal in said wall panels; said peripheral skeleton of said deck panel comprising a channel member that is also welded to metal in said wall panels. 